FILED TO SPORTSJOURNEY/ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have named Mitch Korn the team’s goaltending coach, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Following the season, Olie Kolzig (named the Caps goaltending coach in September 2013) expressed his desire to not continue full-time coaching due to family reasons. Korn and Kolzig are currently discussing Kolzig’s level of time commitment and involvement with the organization.
“I am very pleased to join the Washington Capitals and continue to work alongside [Capitals’ head coach] Barry Trotz,” said Korn. “I look forward to working with all of the talented goaltenders in the organization and helping them improve and succeed on the ice. I want to thank the Nashville Predators for a great 16 years and wish them the very best in the future.
“I have known Olie for many years and have a great appreciation and respect for the way he views the goaltending position,” the new Caps coach continued. “We will continue to discuss the best way for him to remain with the organization while doing what’s best for his family.”
Korn, 56, spent the past 15 seasons as the goaltending coach for the Nashville Predators and has more than 35 years of coaching experience. He worked with all netminders in the Nashville system during his tenure with the team and helped develop several into elite NHL goaltenders. Under Korn’s direction, Predator goaltender Pekka Rinne was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in 2011 and 2012 and finished in the top 10 in Hart Trophy voting in both seasons. Korn also helped develop two-time Czech Olympian, 2010 World Champion and NHL All-Star Tomas Vokoun.
Before joining the Predators in 1998, Korn spent seven seasons (1991-98) with the Buffalo Sabres organization, where he worked with Hockey Hall-of-Famer and two-time Hart Trophy-winner Dominik Hasek. While working with Korn, Hasek captured four Vezina Trophies and led the NHL in save percentage five times. Korn also saw Buffalo’s goaltending tandem (Hasek and Hall-of-Famer Grant Fuhr) capture the NHL’s Jennings Trophy (lowest team goals-against average) during the 1994-95 season. The new Capitals member has also developed goalie coaches. Several of those who have learned under him are serving in various places around North America, including five that are currently at the NHL level.
Korn began his coaching career at Kent State University in 1979 shortly after ending his playing career at the school. He worked at Miami University’s Goggin Ice Center in Oxford, Ohio, for 30 years, coaching the school’s goalies and then went on to join the Sabres in 1991. Korn, who runs goaltending and defensemen schools around the country in the off-season, has contributed regularly to several hockey publications including USA Hockey Magazine, Goalies’ World and In-Goal Magazine.
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